Temperature-controlling apparatus.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.20, 1904.

Wi li/z asses: W

I I l/206223397 1 M e i 9 62:1.- A. A EMT UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE JOHN H. SWANI,- OF CHICAGO, ILL-INOIS.

' TEMPE RATURE-OONTROLUNG.APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. SWAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in .the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Temperature-Controll1ng Apparatus, of which the following 1s a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing, forming a art of this speclfication.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for controlling temperature.

The apparatus of this character which is now in existence usually contains a fluidpressure mechanism or motor which operates suitable means for regulating the heat admitted to the room where the temperature is to be controlled, the pressure for operating said motor being supplied from a storage tank or reservoir into which air or other fluid is compressed by a pump or compressor. Much attention must be given to such apparatus, so as to maintain sufiicient ressure 1n the tank to 0;; erate the motor, an often there is great difficulty and expense in installin the pipes for conveying the pressure from t e tank to the motor. Moreover, where the motor has the pressure which is admitted thereto re alated by a thermostatic valve the operation of the apparatus is ire uently imperfect, due to dust and dirt whic lodges in the valve and affectaits sensitive action.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide improved means for supplying pressure to the motor which will not require the labor and attention incident to employing a pump or compressor and tank for this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved electrically-controlled apparatus for controlling temperature which may be easily installed at a comparatively small expense.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of such size that it may be entirely arranged in the room where the temperature is to be controlled.

Although these objects of the invention have been mentioned, it is to be understood that-many features of the invention may be employed in various ways.

There are various other objects of my invention which will be apparent from the accompanying drawing, in which is represented a sectlonal view of one form of my improved Specification of Letters Patent:

Application filed January 20, 1904- Serial No. 189,928.

Patented Aug. 28, 1966.

fapparatus and a diagram of the circuits therev The apparatus shown in the drawing contains a main generator or heating-chamber 1, Whl'Oll may be heated in any suitable way, an electric heating-coil 2, preferably arranged within a suitable sheath 3, being illustrated for this pur ose. The upper part of the generator may e connected to the upper part of a reservoir 4, said reservoirpreferably being connected through a check-valve 5 to a suitable fiuid-pressure mechanism or motor 6. This valve preferably has an upper chamber 7 and a lower chamber 8, said upper chamber 7 being connected to the lower part of the reservoir 4 and the lower chamber 8 being connected to the motor. Between the two chambers of the valve extend ports 9, which are normally closed by a valve gate 10, pressed upon its-seat by a spring 1 1 and preferably having a stem 12, which extends u wardly into the upper chamber 7. At t e top of the upper chamber of the valve is a diaphragm 13, which is preferably provided upon its lower face with a plate 14, adapted to bear against the stem of the valve-gate, said plate being preferably pressed upwardly by a spring 15 to permit the valve to normally remain closed. Above said diaphragm is provided an auxiliary or supplemental generator or heating-chamber 16, which, similar to the main generator 1, may be heated by a heating-coil 17, surrounded by a sheath 18. At the'lower portion of said generator and just above the diaphragm is a foraminous plate 19 to hold said diaphragm against being raised.

To the generator 16' is preferably connected a .Bourdon tube 20, which, it is understood, is a bent tube adapted to change its curvature on variation of the internal pressure. This tube carries a switch-contact 21, adapted to engage a stationary switch-contact 22. Similar tubes 23 and 24 are connected to the lower chamber 8 of the valve. The tube 23 has a contact 25, adapted to engage a stationary contact 26, and the tube 24 carries a contact 27, adapted to engage a stationary contact 28. The several Bourdon tubes are arranged so that on increase of the pressure therein to a predetermined amount the contacts controlled by tubes 20 and 23 will be opened, while those controlled by the tube 24 will be closed.

The motor or fluid-pressure mechanism 6 may be of any construction. The motor illustrated in the drawing has a suitable casing 29, within which is arranged a diaphragm 30. 1 Against the diaphragmv bears a plate 31, which is normally pressed upwardly by the springs 32. The motor may be employed for any purpose. It is here shown as arranged to operate a valve 33, which may control the passage for the heating fluid in a heatings stem, said valvebeing preferably provi e with a gate ,34, connected to the motor by a rod 35. This valve may of course be utilized for any purpose, and in some instances the motor may operate a damper to control the temperature instead of a valve, as is well understood.

For automaticallycontrolling the operation of the apparatus which has been set forth a thermostat 36 of any type may be arranged in the room or apartment in which the temperature is to be controlled, said thermostat being provided with a contact 37, adapted to engage one or the other of the stationary contacts 38 or 39, according to the direction in which said thermostat moves when changes in the temperature occur.

The general construction of the apparatus having now been described, the operation thereof will be explained. Within the main generator and reservoir, as well as the auxiliary generator, is contained a suitable liquid or fluidas, for example, waterthe upper dotted lines indicating approximately the level thereof before the apparatus is set in operation. Assume that as the temperature in the room rises under the influence of the heating medium allowed to pass through the open valve or damper 33, as the case may be, the thermostat 36 moves until the contact 37 engages contact 38. A path for the current will then be established from supplyconductor 40, through wire 41, thermostat 36, terminals 37 and 38, conductor 42, terminals 26 and 25, conductor 43, heating-coil 2, and conductor 44, to the opposite supplyconductor 45. The generator 1 will now be set in o eration, and as the fluid therein becomes eateda pressure will be created, which will force the liquid in the reservoir 4 through the check-valve 5 and into the motor 6. Under the pressure the diaphra m 30 will move downwardly and close the va ve 33. When the pressure becomes sufficient, the Bourdon tube 23 will operate, thereby causing the circuit which has heretofore been traced to be opened at contacts 25 and 26. At the same time the contacts 27 and 28 will be closed. The heater 2 will now cease operation; but the valve 33 will still remain closed, as the pressureof the fluid upon the.

motor will be retained by the check-valve 5 regardless of the fall of the pressure in the main generator 1. When the temperature in the room falls to a predetermined amount, due to the closing of the valve 33, the thermostat will move until the contacts 37 and 39 enage each other. This will close a circuit rom the supply-conductor 40, through conductor 41, thermostat 36, contac ts 37 and 39, conductor 46, contacts 27 and 28, conductor 47, contacts 22 and 21, conductor 48, heating-coil 17, and conductor 49, to the other supply-conductor 45. The auxiliary enerator is now set in operation and as the fiuid therein expands the diaphragm is forced downwardly upon the stem 12 to open the check-valve, thereby permitting the compressed fiuid in the motor to regurgitate to the reservoir. As the pressure in the motor falls, the operation of the auxiliary generator will be stopped by the breaking of the circuit for the heating-coil 17 at contacts 27 and 28. Also the contacts 25 and 26 will again close. The valve 33 now being opened again, the same action will be repeated as that heretofore described, when the temperature of the room rises.

If the check-valve be opened too soon after the main generator ceases operation, the

pressure upon the liquid in the reservoir will not have fallen sufliciently to permit the mo tor to open the valve 33. Under such conditions the circuit of the heating-coil for the auxiliary generator could not be broken by the tube 24 at contacts 27 and 28, and therefore the tube 20 is provided to break said circuit when the pressure in the auxiliary generator becomes excessive.

If the diaphragm of the motor is made of rubber, it would be likely to rapidly disintegrate should it be subjected to the action of very hot water or steam, and therefore said diaphragm is protected in the present construction from the hot water and steam produced in the generator by providing the reservoir from which comparatively cool water is forced into the motor.

It is of course understood that any kind. of fluid may be employed as the medium through which the pressure is exerted.

The apparatus which has been produced by this invention is particularly suited for use in buildings having a large number of rooms in which the temperature is to be controlled, as a complete apparatus may be installed in each room to regulate the operation of the radiator or other heating appliance therein, the electric current being supplied from suitable supply-mains running through the building.

There are various ways in which this invention may be applied to control the temperature in an apartment, and the motor may be arranged to serve any purpose for which it is suitable. Moreover, the apparatus is not confined in its use to regulating the operation of heating appliances or systems, but is capable of being employed to accomplish many different ends.

Where it is deemed advisable, the ther- 1. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a fluid-pressure generator supplying fluid under pressure thereto, an electricv heater for said generator, a switch controlling the circuit of said heater, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, and electrically-controlled means for operating said valve.

2. In combination, a fluid-pressure motor,

a fluid-pressure generator suppl 'ng fluid under'pressure thereto, an electric eater for said generator, a thermostatic switch in the circuit of said heater, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, elec tricallycontrolled means for operating said valve, and a temperature-controlling device operated by said motor.

3. The combination with a fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged ina suitable electric circuit, of a fluid-pressure mechanism or motor supplied with fluid under'pressure from said generator, means for setting the heating means in operation, and means operated by the pressure created in said generator, said means automatically opening the circuit of said heating means when the pressure in said generator reaches a predetermined amount.

4. The combination with a fluid-pressure generator, of means for heating the same, a fluid-pressure mechanism supplied with fluid under pressure by said generator, means controlling the operation of said generator, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, and means for operating said valve.-

' 5. The combination with a fluid-pressure generator having means for electricall heating the same, of a fluid-pressure mec anism or motor supplied with fluid under pressure from said generator, means for controlling the operation of said generator, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, and means for operating said valve to release said fluid.

6. The combination with a fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, a fluid-pressure mechanism or motorsupplied with fluid under pressure from said generator, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, a second fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, means operatedby fluid under-pressure from said second generator to operate said valve, and means for controlling the operation of the means for electrically heating said generators.

7. The combination with a fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, a fluid-pressure mechanism or motor supplied with fluid under pressure from said generator, a valve for retaining the fluid under pres sure in said motor, a second fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged. in a suitable circuit, means operated by fluid under pressure from said second generator to operate saidvalve, and a switch for controlling the operation, of the means for electrically heating said generators.

8. The combination with a fluidpressure 'generatorhaving means for electrically heating the same arranged ina suitable circuit, a fluid-pressure mechanism or motor supplied with fluid under pressure from said geneiator, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, a second fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, means operated by fluid under pressure from said second generator to operate said valve, means for controlling the operation of the means for electrically heating said generators, and a valve operated by said motor.

9. Th combination with a fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, a fluid-pressure mechanism or motor supplied with fluid under pressure from said generator, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, a second fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, means operated by fluid under pressure from said second generator to operate said valve, a temperature-re ulating device controlled by said motor, an a thermostat for controlling the operation of said means for electrically heating said generators.

10. The combinationwith a fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, a fluid-pressure mechanism or motor supplied with fluid under pressure from said generator, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, a second fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same arranged in a suitable circuit, means operated by fluid under pressure from said second generator to operate said valve, means for setting the first-mentioned means in' operation, and means operated by fluid under pressure for automatically stopping the operation of said first-mentioned means.

11. The combination with a main fluidpressure generator having means for electrically heating the same, a fluid-pressure mechanism or motor supplied with fluid under pressure therefrom, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, an auxiliary fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same, means operated by the pressure created in said auxiliary generator to control said valve, an electric circuit including the means for heating the main generator, a second circuit including the means for heating the auxiliary generator, a switch for opening or closing either of said circuits, and means operated by fluid under pressure for opening one of sai circuits and closing the other when the pressure of the fluid supplied to said motor reaches a predetermined amount.-

12. The combination with a main fluidpressure generator having means for electrically heating the same, a fluid-pressure mechanism-or motor supplied with fluid under pressure therefrom, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, an auxiliary fluid-pressure generator having nieans for electrically heating the same,-

means operated by the pressure created in said auxiliary generator to control said valve, an electric circuit including the means for heating the main generator, a second electric circuit including themeans for heating the auxiliary generator, a switch for opening or closing either of said circuits, Bourdon tubes responsive to pressure from one of said generators, and cpntrolling switch-contacts'to open one of said circuits and close the other when the pressure of the fluid supplied to said motor reaches a predetermined amount.

13. The combination with a main fluidpressure generator having means for electrically heating the same, of a fluid-pressure mechanism or motor supplied with fluid under pressure from said generator, a temperature-regulating device controlled by said motor, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said motor, an-auxiliary fluid-pressure generator having means for electrically heating the same, means operated by the fluid under pressure created in said auxiliary generator to control said valve, a circuit in which the means for heating said main generator is IIBSSGS.

trolling device, a fluid-pressure mechanism for operating said device, a generator supplying fluid under pressure to said mechanism, means for electrically hea'ting'said generator, a circuit including said means, a thermostatic switch controlling said circuit, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said mechanism, and electrically-controlled means for operating said valve.

15. In combination, a temperature-controlling device, a fluid-pressure mechanism for operating said, device, a generator supplying fluid under pressure to saidmechanism, means for electrically heating said generator, a circuit including said, means, a thermostatic switch controlling said circuit, a valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said mechanism, electrically-controlled means for operating said valve, and means operated by the pressure of the fluid in said motor and automatically controlling said circuit.

16. In combination, a temperature-controlling device, a fluid-pressure mechanism for operating said device, a generator supplying fluid under pressure to said mechanism, means for electrically heating said generator, a circuit including said means, a thermostatic switch controlling said circuit, a'valve for retaining the fluid under pressure in said mechanism, a fluid-pressure mechanism for operating said Valve, a supplemental fluidpressure generator supplying fluid under pressure to the latter mechanism, and means for electrically heating said supplemental generator.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two wit- JOHN H. SWAN. 

